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THE GOVERNMENT HAS announced it will “explore a bid” to host one of golf’s most prestigious competitions.
The Open Championship is the oldest golf tournament in the world and was established in 1860.
It was originally held annually at Prestwick Golf Club in Scotland but now rotates between coastal links courses in the UK.
The Open came to the Royal Portrush Golf Club in Co Antrim in 2019 and will make a return to Portrush next year.
The Irish government is looking at hosting both The Open and the AIG Women’s Open at Portmarnock Golf Club in Co Dublin.
It would be the first time that The Open has been played outside of the UK.
The government said the “potential significance of hosting The Open outside the UK for the first time cannot be understated” and that it would “present a key opportunity to deepen ties on both a North-South and East-West basis”.
Any final decision to support the bid is subject to a positive outcome to discussions with The R&A and Portmarnock Golf Club over the summer and to a positive economic impact assessment.
The R&A was formed in 2004 and is responsible for staging The Open and the AIG Women’s Open.
Engagement with Fingal County Council and key stakeholders, such as those in the transport sector, will also be undertaken.
However, Sport and Tourism Minister Catherine Martin and Minister of State for Sport Thomas Byrne both anticipate that a recommendation will be brought to government in the autumn.
Minister Martin said she was “delighted” by government’s decision to explore hosting both The Open and the AIG Women’s Open at Portmarnock Golf Club.
She added that it “would have a positive impact on closing the gender participation gap in sport, and boosting women’s participation and equality in golf”.
Martin also remarked that Ireland is a leading destination for golf and that hosting these competitions “would increase Ireland’s reputation as a world centre for golf”.
Meanwhile, Minister of State Thomas Byrne also welcomed the move.
Byrne said “Ireland has consistently demonstrated its ability to host world-class major international sports events” and that this will be the case for The Open and the AIG Women’s Open should the bid proceed successfully.
He added: “I also believe that the hosting of these major international sports events can yield a strong participation legacy that will drive the growth in participation levels in golf, as the Government continues its work to get as many people as physically active and engaged in sport as possible.”
The 152nd edition of The Open was won at Royal Troon in Scotland by American golfer Xander Schauffele last weekend, while the AIG Women’s Open will be held next month at St Andrews in Fife, Scotland.
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It’s the…(British) Open! What’s next – Wembley hosting the All Ireland hurling final next year! Leave some things well alone!
@Barry Murphy: No, its just The Open.. here it is from the horses mouth https://www.theopen.com/latest/why-it-is-the-open-not-the-british-open
@Brian: Fair enough!
@Barry Murphy: Wembley hosts American football. Wembley’s not in America, is it?
Imagine willingly going to Dublin.
@Daniel Skelton: Happily
Its a British competition, no to it been held! Enough of this west brits trying tochange pur identity.
@David Byrne: Oh grow up will you, while we obviously have our own cultural identities, we slavishly follow British sports, media, music culture etc., so trying to pretend that we are completely unique in this little country of ours, is flogging a dead horse. I think it would be amazing to get the Open here, but yes I do realise that there are saddos out there like David who would oppose it on xenophobic grounds.
@David Byrne: then why is it in NI this year?
Yet wouldn’t entertain world rally stage. Typical.
@tiobraiddroicead: no one cares about that nonsense
They might as well just sponsor it,great lads to throw away taxpayer money
@Jb Walshe: I am sure lots if golf enthusiasts would come to Dublin. Government would more than get the investment back not to mention all the publicity. Besides plenty Irish Universities and government bodies sponsor sporting events and all our athletes in Paris are on Sports Ireland grants
@Peter Byrne: we have many sporting events Peter,including the Irish Open
@Jb Walshe: The Irish Open is not a major and cannot be compared with The Open.
The hotels be rubbing their hands at the prospect of this becoming a reality.
If the poor immigrants feel put upon maybe they could try they’re luck in a more friendly country I could make a list but it might take me a week or 2
@Paul: is that cause you’re slow?
Their. They’re. There.
@Alan OConnor: Dare, dare!
Portmarnock ?? You know the old saying …..
If Waterville, Ballybunion and Lahinch were on the east coast, you would never hear of Portmarnock !!!
@Lulu: just location, infrastructure etc, and we’ll plenty of hotels. Near airport.. lahinch would be brilliant, but not suitable for this size of crowd. U need space between fairways etc for stands
I would be surprised if it happened, what’s in it for the British? Why would they allow the biggest cash generator in their golfing calendar go abroad. It’s not like the tickets aren’t being sold.
Had a tour de France once. Geography should be a school subject.
Why is there some much xenophobia it’s.. the open..a cold competition. We are not giving up sovereignty and rejoining the UK.. get real.
Eamon Dunphy wanted to bring Wimbledon FC to Dublin. Let’s get over the Ryder Cup in limerick first before the Patriots get their stained shorts in a knot.
Unless they are immigrants there will no where to stay
Yes it’s a good idea. And ask RTE to film the whole lot for an extra bonus.
If RTE get broadcasting rights, they might need another Billion Euro bailout, Catherine Martin in on this as well, omg another sh#tshow guaranteed so.
FG are playing a blinder
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